Visual Dictionary

The visual dictionary is a concise listing of dog agility terms, maneuvers, and sequences with diagrams and videos. Not sure what a “Lead Out Pivot” is? Consult the Bad Dog Agility Visual Dictionary. Check back often for new additions. We tell you what a particular maneuver is, not how to teach or handle it.

The Serpentine is a sequence of three obstacles that the dog takes in a wave pattern (over one jump, 180 degrees over one jump, 180 degrees over one jump). Serpentine handling refers to a handling maneuver for this sequence in which the handler stays on the take-off side of jump one throughout the sequence (see

The Ketschker is a combination maneuver where the handler cues a front cross at an obstacle, and then as the dog commits to the obstacle, executes a blind cross. It is primarily used to get a tight wrap around a jump. http://youtu.be/UoHyxnPMD6g Demonstrated by Daisy Peel.

A Blind Cross is a maneuver in which you change handling sides in front of your dog. The side change happens by quickly turning your back on your dog. This is in contrast to the Front Cross. http://youtu.be/JxYB4Agn8D8 Demonstrated by Daisy Peel.

A Rear Cross is a maneuver in which you change handling sides behind your dog. The handler allows the dog to get ahead and then cuts behind the dog’s path. This creates a turn after the cross. http://youtu.be/4VeX0sN0Gpc

A Lead Out Pivot is simply a stationary front cross. Rather than executing the front cross in motion, the handler leads out to their front cross position, cues an obstacle from this stationary position, and then executes the front cross. This typically occurs as the first sequence on course, but a lead out pivot can

A Front Cross is a maneuver in which you change handling sides in front of your dog. This typically occurs on a turn. The side change happens by turning toward your dog (you will be able to see your dog throughout). This is in contrast to the Blind Cross. http://youtu.be/r6F0x31ripI

A Regular Turn refers to a simple turn on course where the dog turns but remains on the same side of the handler throughout the turn. It is also referred to as a “simple turn”, “pull turn”, or just “turn”. http://youtu.be/Y4z1Q0kvhSw